1 Samuel 4:2

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַיַּעַרְכ֨וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֜ים לִקְרַ֣את יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַתִּטֹּשׁ֙ הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וַיִּנָּ֥גֶף יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לִפְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַיַּכּ֤וּ בַמַּֽעֲרָכָה֙ בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה כְּאַרְבַּ֥עַת אֲלָפִ֖ים אִֽישׁ׃

Transliteration

And wə ya'arkû pəlištîm to-liqra't yiśrā'ēl and wə tiṭṭōš the-milḥāmāh and wə yinnāgep yiśrā'ēl before pənê pəlištîm and wə yakkû in-the-ma'ărākāh in-the-śādeh about-four 'ălāpîm 'îš.

Grammar Details

• *ya'arkû*: qal imperfect 3rd masculine plural consecutive - they arranged, set in order, drew up
• *liqra't*: preposition + infinitive construct - to meet, against
• *tiṭṭōš*: qal imperfect 3rd feminine singular consecutive - spread out, extended, joined
• *milḥāmāh*: feminine singular noun - battle, war
• *yinnāgep*: niphal imperfect 3rd masculine singular consecutive - was defeated, smitten
• *pənê*: plural construct - face, presence of
• *yakkû*: hiphil imperfect 3rd masculine plural consecutive - they struck, killed
• *ma'ărākāh*: feminine singular noun - battle line, arrangement
• *śādeh*: masculine singular noun - field
• *'ălāpîm*: masculine plural noun - thousands
• *'îš*: masculine singular noun - man, men (collective)

Word Meanings

• *ya'arkû*: they arranged, set in order, positioned [themselves]
• *tiṭṭōš*: joined, spread out, was deployed, engaged
• *yinnāgep*: was smitten, was defeated, was struck down
• *yakkû*: they smote, struck down, killed
• *ma'ărākāh*: battle line, battle array, battlefield

Referenced Verses

• Josh 7:5-8 : 5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. 6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. 7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! 8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!
• Josh 7:12 : 12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
• 1 Sam 17:8 : 8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
• 1 Sam 17:21 : 21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
• Ps 44:9-9 : 9 But thou hast cast off{H8804)}, and put us to shame{H8686)}; and goest not forth{H8799)} with our armies. 10 Thou makest us to turn{H8686)} back from the enemy: and they which hate{H8764)} us spoil{H8804)} for themselves.
• Ps 79:7-8 : 7 For they have devoured{H8804)} Jacob, and laid waste{H8689)} his dwelling place. 8 O remember{H8799)} not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent{H8762)} us: for we are brought very low{H8804)}.
• Ps 106:40-41 : 40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. 41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
• Lam 3:40 : 40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.